Topo Gigio Ristorante
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1516 N Wells St
Chicago, IL 60610 b/t Burton Pl & North Ave
Near North Side, Old Town - Get Directions
- Phone number (312) 266-9355
- Message the business
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Business website topogigiochicago.com
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“We indulged in grilled calamari, conchiglie alla sarda, and eggplant parmesan.” in 28 reviews
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“Seashell pasta in a delicious tomato-cream sauce with a liberal dose of Italian sausage and Pecorino cheese.” in 14 reviews
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“Other favorites include the pumpkin ravioli in the fall, and the tortellini in cream sauce.” in 21 reviews
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0.8 Miles away from Topo Gigio Ristorante
Carolyn I. said "Beautiful restaurant! I went here for brunch with a friend. It was a nice day out, so we decided to eat outside. My first…" read more
Recommended Reviews
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- Hope H.
- Chicago, IL
- 1 friend
- 13 reviews
8/10/2015
I came to the restaurant for different occasions in the past . The last time I was here was about a week ago because my sister and her family were visiting me from Poland.
We were seated promptly by a very friendly host when we got there. We ordered grilled calamari and mussels with marinara sauce for appetizers, and we ordered a few pasta dishes, risotto with grilled beef steak, eggplant parmesan, white fish dish for our main dishes. Even though the portion of each dish was huge but we finished almost all the food on our table. Everything was so good.
A friend of mine and I ordered a glass of house Cabernet for each of us, and it tasted much better than I expected. It was smooth and fruity but it still has body. They were also very generous with the amount served in the glass.
I can't wait to go back! Maybe I will sit at a table either at the back patio or at their outdoor seats in the front if weather permits. -
- Tim W.
- Chicago, IL
- 3 friends
- 18 reviews
8/10/2015
1 check-inThis place is one of those places that you must stop by and grab a bite to eat. Have lunch, dinner whatever you choose.
We stopped at topo's after spending the after noon enjoying some recreational activities at the beach.
I'd have to say that I am very pleased with this restaurant, as well for their food.
There was a 30min wait. Which I'd have to say is worth it once you try their food. -
- Allie W.
- Elk Grove Village, IL
- 1 friend
- 4 reviews
6/14/2015
Best Italian food in all the city. Best waiters around- Alex and Ceasar are our favorite!
Favorite dishes include the petti de pollo, pasta arrabiata, and eggplant parm. Really can't go wrong with any of the pasta dishes though. Fresh sea food as well.
BEST. CAPRESE SALAD. EVER. Real buffalo mozzarella.
Over all amazing. Family place. In love with it. -
- Maliha S.
- Niles, IL
- 8 friends
- 4 reviews
6/14/2015
Favorite restaurant in Chicago. Food is amazing!!!!! On Saturdays they have a pasta with a lobster tail.... Best meal of my life maybe.
Cons: it's always busy so you'll have to wait for a table, even if you have reservations. And it's also really loud. -
2/20/2015
1 check-inI'm one of the many Yelpers who dream of doing half-stars. Topo Gigio is a little better than a 3, but not quite a 4. I love the venetian plaster walls, and the classic Italian restaurant decor. And who wouldn't love a theme restaurant that pays homage to an early 60's Italian mouse puppet. I was the first one who arrived from my party of 5. When I told the hostess I had a reservation she was surly, and can I say bitchy because the rest of my party hadn't arrived yet. Hostess lady, you're supposed to be welcoming, not like the freakin' troll who controls passage over the bridge. Be nice!
Anyway, I loved the house Chianti and was pleased with the generous pour. The bread came to the table piping hot and there was also a hot whole grain bread in the basket. I love that because then I can justify eating more carbs because it's "healthier". I had grilled portobello with polenta which was really pretty delicious. The peach sorbet was peachy and refreshing with nice chunks of peaches in it. My pals got a variety of dishes from black pasta to soup with clam shells floating around in it. Everyone seemed to like what they ordered. I seriously wasn't paying attention because I was busy tending to the Chianti.
I also have to say that the service was excellent. We let our server know that we had a play to catch across the street at the Red Orchid. The service was perfectly executed to accommodate our schedule. Overall the experience here was really pretty good. I think I just got a bit jaded because of the snarly, snarky attitude of the hostess. Sometimes those first impressions are hard to shake. -
- Christopher N.
- Seattle, WA
- 0 friends
- 7 reviews
7/6/2015
Exceptional Italian restaurant, the flavors are delicately balanced, rich and full of flavor. This is a must have. Conchiglie Mediterranea is terrific, the scallops are perfectly cooked and there's the perfect amount of spice, not overpowering but enough to notice. The eggplant parmesan is one of the best around. Perfectly breaded so you can still taste the eggplant, the right amount of sauce and cheese. Not too much that you're overpowered but enough that you get all the flavors and enjoyment necessary. We had another linguine pasta, I don't see it on the menu listed here, jumbo prawns and capers, red sauce, it's simply to die for! One of the best made pasta dishes I've had. Perfect flavors! Finally, Joe's Salad is a must have! What a treat!! Avocado, potato, tomato, red onion, buffalo mozzarella and aged parmesan, artichoke, capers and just enough vinaigrette . Highly recommended!
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Prawns, zucchini, capers and the perfect balance with the red sauce. My favorite dish!Prawns, zucchini, capers and the perfect balance with the red sauce. My favorite dish! -
Conchiglie Mediterranea...what a find! Just enough spice, terrific scallops, perfectly cooked, and great prawns and clams. Yum!Conchiglie Mediterranea...what a find! Just enough spice, terrific scallops, perfectly cooked, and great prawns and clams. Yum! - See all photos from Christopher N. for Topo Gigio Ristorante
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- Dutch B.
- Chicago, IL
- 0 friends
- 54 reviews
7/28/2015
the only word I can think of is "basic" very bland dishes we had. Then I thought, maybe it's the gold coast clientele and their older people that are use to these non-flavored dishes they've been use to for years. very disappointed I wasted a lot of money here. we should have known when we noticed all the nick knacks on the walls, especially the mice statues all over the place, very bazaar, like some little child decorated the place.. seem dirty too. strange place..
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- Ivy M.
- Chicago, IL
- 1 friend
- 2 reviews
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12/4/2014
Topo Gigio is a hidden gem in Old Town! They're very old school Italian, authentic and reasonably priced. The pastas are one of my favorites in the city, and they have a penchant for making incredible sauces. Here are some of my highlights:
Garganelli - handmade pasta with very tasty sausage
Conchiglie - simple but far from plain; never knew shrimps and scallops in tomato basil sauce could taste so good
Spaghetti Ai Frutti Di Mare - marinara sauce is rich with seafood flavor, almost like the calamari, mussels, clams and sea scallops melted into it!
Portions are generous for one person, but I usually enjoy my meal so much, I have to resist stuffing myself. Excellent service and food during the many times I've visited. I would not hesitate to recommend Topo Gigio. -
- Lara B.
- Chicago, IL
- 4 friends
- 24 reviews
7/17/2015
The food is prepared pretty well overall but this place is as pretentious as it gets. And the inside manager is one of the biggest dickheads I've ever come across in the service industry period. Shocked by his poor attitude and rudeness. Not spending my money there because of his poor treatment of us-I've literally never been so insulted. This guy ushered me outside and dropped some major "rules" on me like I was some brat trying to skip the line. He kept saying "you should know the rules since you've been coming here before"???? Sorry I didn't read my topo Gigio manual before I left my apt. It's also sweltering hot outside so I went inside to get the scoop-obvious hoping for a table inside but more than willing to be out. All he had to do was be a little nicer about it, like use basic customer service skills and people skills, and we'd been spending some loot there right now.
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- Hend S.
- The Loop, Chicago, IL
- 0 friends
- 9 reviews
2/14/2015
Very yummy fresh food with reasonable price , service are excellent .
And dont miss the dessert especially the daily fresh tiramisu -
- Sam U.
- Los Angeles, CA
- 0 friends
- 9 reviews
4/8/2015
I will be having dinner at this restaurant this evening, I expect it to be quite good as it was a recommendation. Yesterday I messaged them to secure a reservation for tonight 4/8 through Yelp as that is an option Yelp offers for this particular restaurant. I hadn't heard from them they so I just phoned to make sure I had a table. As it turns out the restaurant does not follow or pay any mind to Yelp or the messaging feature. So heads up to Yelp. Perhaps you ought to be sure that businesses you suggest messaging are actually are participating in your program. I spoke to a very nice fellow who confirmed a reservation for me. So to all who are looking to be in touch with Topo Gigio, call them. Don't bother with the Yelp messaging
As a follow up to my earlier remarks I can now say having had my dinner experience at Topo Gigio that it is a meal not to be missed. Wonderful food, exceptional service and a lively electric atmosphere. This is an old family owned Restaurant and when a place is packed on a Wednesday night at 8pm, you know you're in the right place. Vince and Angela could not have been nicer or more welcoming! -
- Claire Y.
- Chicago, IL
- 0 friends
- 77 reviews
7/14/2015 Updated review
This is not about my second time here because I never went back. But someone we knew also went to this place few weeks ago and said similar things about the hostess. We found this funny.
It took me a while to get started on this review.3/30/2015 Previous review
We came here for the bone marrow risotto but it… It took me a while to get started on this review.
We came here for the bone marrow risotto but it was only offered during the weekend. The reason I'm giving a 3 star is not based on the food but rather the service. We had a 7:30 reservation and got to the restaurant around 8. I thought the reservation was at 7:45 and the server said "we dont do reservations at 7:45" and she said it several times with an upsetting attitude. So I get it that we were late but the restaurant was not even full when we walked in, and I really thought it was at 7:45.
Anyways, the food was average, we ordered the mushroom appetizer which was pretty good, filet minion was average and something else I couldn't really remember. Probably will come back again but wish not to see the same server. Read more -
6/15/2014
1 check-inI came here with my parents before a second city show and I'm so glad I chose this place! This is probably the best italian food I've ever had. I made reservations for a Friday night a few days beforehand, and we got our table right when we arrived. We decided to sit inside, but there's also a patio outside and a bar outside as well that a lot of people were at.
We started off with the grilled calamari with wine sauce, it's a little more chewy than your typical fried calamari but the flavor of the sauce was very tasty. Our server was very knowledgeable about the menu and was able to give us great recommendations. We shared the filet mignon and the shrimp pesto pasta. They actually split both dishes for us on two separate places which was very considerate.
The filet was perfectly cooked, the mushroom sauce was tasty and not too salty, and the dish had a big helping of spinach and tasty potatoes. If they had been mashed potatoes that would have been more epic, but these were still good. For the shrimp pasta, it was loaded with jumbo shrimp and a TON of pesto. It was extremely filling and we were able to take enough for a whole meal home.
For what you get this place is priced just right, not too expensive and I loved the atmosphere. There are also really cool pictures of famous actors & politicians that have dined here (Bill Clinton, George Clooney and Jay Leno to name a few).
This is my favorite restaurant I've been to in old town. Will definitely be back! -
- Cali G.
- Chicago, IL
- 128 friends
- 104 reviews
3/3/2015
First time dining at this restaurant and it was suprisingly good. The ambiance is very welcoming and the staff is really attentive.
We started the night with a bottle of wine, which are very affordable. I was surprised to see that I was not looking at $70/$120 bottles of wine. I wanted to order everything off the menu, but my date did not eat seafood.. "bummer"... We ended up ordering the caprese salad and the carpaccio appetizers. They were both fantastic.
For main course, I ordered the grilled scampi & sea scallops, and my date ordered the veal santimbocca. They were equally good. -
- Mia W.
- Chicago, IL
- 2 friends
- 10 reviews
5/12/2015
1 check-inI ventured out here last Friday night with four girlfriends - without a reservation(!) - and we were seated with very little wait time. The hostess who sat us was very rude, but our waiter for the evening was great and definitely made up for it.
For an appetizer, we split the Portobello E Polenta - which we decided was "just ok". But we were all pleased with our main pasta dishes - which, by they way, are served al dente. For vegetarian dishes, I definitely recommend the Eggplant alla Parmigiana (with a side of pasta), or the Campanelle alla Norma (which has a bit of a kick to it).
I have been here many times - it's perfect for a date spot, family dinners, or a night out with your girlfriends. The food (and wine!!) is consistent and delicious. -
6/14/2015
Let me start by saying I am not a big fan of going out to eat Italian food. It is just not that exciting to me and I tend to leave feeling like I could have made the dish better at home. That said, I actually loved Topo Gigio! I went with a group of 8 people and made a last minute reservation. The waiter was a really pleasant and humorous Italian gentleman who was very attentiveness. We ordered a wide variety of items including the pesto pasta with shrimp, the seafood pasta in marinara, spaghetti and meatballs, caprese salad, grilled scallops, and a few other items as well. I did not hear any complaints about the food. They were very generous with the seafood and the dishes were overall quite flavorful. The pasta portions were definitely large as well. However, like most Italian restaurants, the dishes were very heavy and caloric. I definitely needed a nap afterwards. Nonetheless, I would come back here again if I was ever in the mood for some Italian.
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9/5/2014
1 check-inIt's got mice! Lots of them! On the walls, on the tables, on the floor. Jerry Seinfeld doesn't seem to mind. Neither do Bill Clinton and James Earl Jones. Smiling post-dinner photographs of these and multiple other celebrities adorn a wall attesting to their satisfaction with the restaurant.
The mice are of the cute cartoon variety featured in the Italian TV show Topo Gigio. The restaurant is named after that show and the mice schtick is exuberantly embraced.
Topo Gigio features an outdoor garden, sidewalk seating, and a covered outdoor bar in addition to their indoor dining room and bar. Though garden and sidewalk seating cannot be reserved, when we arrived with our reservation for the dining room we were offered the option of sitting outdoors.
My dining companion, who gravitates towards salmon pastas at Italian restaurants, claims the Farfalle ai Due Salmoni is the best in the city. The bow tie pasta is served with two types of salmon, Norwegian Smoked Salmon and North Pacific Salmon, in a tomato cream sauce. My Spaghetti ai Frutti di Mare was very enjoyable too. The pasta is mixed with calamari, mussels, clams, and sea scallops in a marinara sauce.
The service was efficient albeit a tad perfunctory. We got the feeling the waiter had been at his job for many, many years. Topo Gigio has been around for several decades. With the quality of food they continue to serve, it's easy to see why the restaurant has become an institution in Chicago. -
- Shambavi K.
- Chicago, IL
- 63 friends
- 196 reviews
- Elite ’15
11/14/2014
This is more like 3.5.
As someone who leans toward Asian food than Italian food, my ears perk up when I hear this place. I've been here twice and I have enjoyed the food and service to recommend it to people. I came here once on a date and once as a group.
Though I don't care for pasta (it's bland with carb-y caloric), I remember liking their Sausage Orecchiette - it was in a creamy vodka sauce with peas (and I abhor peas). Their octopus apps were good. Their food is generally flavorful. the 2nd time I went, I had their special one night: grilled bass - very well cooked. the waiter was nice to enough to exchange the mash potatoes for spinach.
Reservations are tough to get and the place gets packed fast for dinner. I don't recommend sitting in the covered (out door area) in the winter. your feet still get cold even with the heat lamps around. -
- Mike S.
- Chicago, IL
- 15 friends
- 17 reviews
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- Meagan R.
- Chicago, IL
- 16 friends
- 3 reviews
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10/19/2014
This may not be a progressive, overly creative Tuscan restaurant, but what they do, they do well. When we walked in the aromas from the kitchen just felt like a warm hug on a chilly evening. The charming atmosphere, complete with mice mascots, just provided a comfortable and subdued vibe.
We started with the prosciutto di Parma with mozzarella di Bufala and roasted peppers. With quality ingredients such as these, there is not much to mess up. Each was left to shine in it's own spotlight. It was delicious.
Entrees included one of the night's specials - pumpkin ravioli with a pink sauce, home made spaghetti with a porcini, sausage and parmigiano reggiano ragu, and veal scalloppini with capers, lemon and wine. We all sampled each other dishes and there was no dissenters. Everyone was very happy with their meals. For dessert, we shared the tiramisu. Although light and creamy, it was a bit too mellow taste wise. The texture was more prominent than the flavor. I kind of felt like I put a nozzle of a whipped cream container to my mouth. Lots of fluff.
There are so many good Italian restaurants in Chicago, so a repeat visit may not come soon, but Topo Gigio definitely qualifies as a contender to keep in the back pocket when we crave some hearty fare in a comfortable environment. -
3/16/2014 Updated review
5 check-insListed in Livin' that Foodie LifeI've decided that this is my favorite restaurant in Chicago!
I decided to bring my mom here after having a really good first experience with my boyfriend. My mom and I came in and I was just as impressed as the first time. My mom ordered a seafood linguini and I ordered the rack of lamb. Both were absolutely delicious. I can't get over the quality of food this restaurant is able to produce. The rack of lamb was so tender and juicy and the linguini was probably the best that I have ever had. For dessert, we ordered the tiramisu and it was just as good as the first time. I'm constantly blown away by how amazing this restaurant is and I would highly suggest it to anyone and everyone!Wow. This place was so good! The food is all really fresh and tasty and the tiramisu is to die for.… Wow. This place was so good! The food is all really fresh and tasty and the tiramisu is to die for. First my boyfriend and I had the fried calamari. Oh maaaan. It wasn't too greasy and it was so good with the sauce they served with it. For my main course, I ordered one of the specials, which was the ravioli di zucca (pumpkin ravioli). It came with a creamy sauce and I couldn't get enough. My boyfriend ordered another special, the veal osso bucco. His meal was HUGE, but it was amazingly tender and extremely flavorful. We ordered a bottle of wine (some Italian Christmas wine?) and to top off our meal, we had the tiramisu. The tiramisu was ridiculously good. I can't even put it into words! You need to try it. I really would love to come back here! Read more11/17/2013 Previous review
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- Jennifer T.
- Chicago, IL
- 0 friends
- 2 reviews
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7/13/2014
16 check-insListed in My Neighborhood, Top RestaurantsFantastic Italian restaurant, the food is so good you may want to eat it every day. Whether you are seated inside in the dining room or outside in the garden, the atmosphere is always pleasant and comfortable to be in. There is a fully stocked bars and an extensive wine list with a lot of very fine Italian wines. In addition to the bar they have a very knowledgeable and personable bartender who knows how to interact with people. It is important to make a reservation before coming to the restaurant in colder weather , Topo Gigio is a very popular place to go. In the warm weather the outdoor garden and sidewalk seating is very popular, you might have to wait 30 minutes because they don't take reservations.
Entering the dining room guests are greeted with an array of antipasto selections on platters. In addition you can order appetizers off the menu. The portions are large and entrées come with house salads. I enjoy starting with the " Capesante Al Vino Bianco scampi and sea scallops, sautéed with mushrooms, chardonnay & lemon sauce." In addition I enjoy the fried calamari, it is always crisp and tasty. My favorite pasta is the "Rigatoni Al Filo Di Fumo rigatoni in pomodoro sauce, with pancetta, fresh mozzarella and fresh basil, topped with pecorino cheese," it is probably very fattening but it is wonderful. Everything. I have had has been perfect, the fish seasoned just right, the steak tender and flavorful, even the vegetable are amazing. Deserts and coffee are fantastic many Italian specialties.
The service is great the staff is always very pleasant and efficient. The only downfall is the popularity of the restaurant in the warm months has many people waiting along 30 minutes to be seated outside , along with the regular people who sit at the bar, it can get a little noisy. Even considering this fact I have given Topo Gigio five stars for outstanding food and service. -
- Greg R.
- Chicago, IL
- 0 friends
- 4 reviews
6/26/2015
No need to look for better Italian cuisine in Chicago after finding this gem. Romantic for a first or last date. Literally everything on the menu is delicious and the service compliments the food with intelligent servers who know about the dishes and add to the appeal. I know this is a short review but you have to experience this place to truly have good Italian in Chicago.
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- Gul Q.
- Chicago, IL
- 0 friends
- 2 reviews
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- Steve F.
- Hoffman Estates, IL
- 5 friends
- 1 review
6/14/2015
Found this restaurant on Yelp before going to see a Second City show only a few blocks away. What a fantastic choice! Everyone at our table got something different, and everyone was extremely satisfied. Even as an Italian myself, I have had a wide sampling, and the Eggplant Parmesan was, I think, the best I've ever had! Even as a resident of the suburbs, we will make sure we end up back here in the future. Highly recommended!
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8/25/2014
Last Monday night (08/18), after we laughed our heads off at The Second City improv show, my boyfriend and I decided on Italian and chose this place. It was rather empty inside, which was bit troubling to me, but then again, it was a Monday night, and well past the normal dinner hour, so there you go.
I ordered a glass of red wine and eggplant Parmesan. I was not prepared for the amount of food presented to me...holy cow. I like eggplant, but man, this was huge. I did my best with it, but it was simply too much. The texture and the flavor were very good, and the cheese on top didn't overpower the dish. I also liked the tomato sauce on it; I could tell it was a homemade recipe and not something from a jar, which sometimes happens in so-called "Italian" restaurants.
The manager of the place was very nice and kept stopping by our table to chat with us; it turned out he worked in Hoboken for a while before heading out to Chicago, and we traded stories on baseball team loyalties. It was a fun time.
If we ever find ourselves in or around Wells Street in Chicago again, I wouldn't mind coming by here again. -
8/11/2014
1 check-inOn first bite, Topo was delicious. Portions were big. And many of their plates had housemade features on them...which is pretty great. But some things left a little to be desired...
We started our meal with the baked clams. First off, this dish only comes with 6 mini clams but a whole lot of onions...and another thing to keep in mind is that 75% of the clam was breading. Soggy breading. Not impressed at all. We then followed it up with the homemade chicken and rice soup. You could definitely tell it was homemade...it was light, but flavorful. Very delicious in my opinion.
For my entree, I was deciding between the tortellini and the clam linguine...ultimately deciding on the linguine. I like noodles, what can I say. And Topo definitely doesn't skimp on them either. Nor do they on the clams. But I have a feeling they mix canned clams with fresh ones. Why? Well I had about 10 clams in shell on my pasta, but I also had a mountain of clam meat atop my pasta as well...and that kind of took away from the dish overall. I would have rather had a lighter pasta with less clams where I could really taste the freshness and sweetness from just the clams in shell. But what I got was a clam heavy pasta with more clam juice flavor then clam.
In terms of service, our server...actually, the only server in the back patio, spent a good amount of time playing with his smart phone on the back corner. All he did was take orders then go back to his corner. Runners did the rest. He even got mad when the welcoming hostess tried to sit a party near the back, next to his hideaway. He immediately re-sat them in an area closer to the front.
What was he trying to hide?
But anyways, if we are going for food alone - it's alright. -
7/10/2014
I can't believe I have never been here!!!
We ventured here on a Sunday evening a couple of weeks ago with a few friends. We were all starving. Rudy was our bartender and waiter. He was AMAZING!!! He fixed our wobbly table, got us our food, gave us suggestions, and kept drinks and water in front of us at all times while also taking care of every other table and bar patron. He was also very friendly and funny.
We had such a good time that we decided to hang for a while after dinner and ended up closing the place up.
We will definitely be back. The food was amazing and the service was top notch thanks to Rudy!!! -
- R Jimmie L.
- Chicago, IL
- 7 friends
- 2 reviews
6/14/2015
During the art fair yesterday, we were enjoying a Starbucks coffee on the sidewalk, considering places to have dinner. Due to the coffee being overly full, we poured a bit out on the sidewalk so it would not spill. Immediately, a bouncer grabs the full cup and tosses it in the garbage. No words, nothing. No apology. We were appalled that this happened. When we asked to enter to talk to a manager they wouldn't let us enter. Will never be entering again nor will anybody we know. Horrible customer service.
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- D S.
- Chicago, IL
- 2 friends
- 20 reviews
4/24/2015
Extremely rude treatment from the hostess. If not for the service recovery efforts of Tony, I would not have stayed.
The hostess first chastised us for not having a reservation and then said: if you don't want this table, I'll give it to someone else. She should. I just don't want it that bad. I had to check the sign to make sure I wasn't at Ed Debevics.
My fiance and I met at Topo. But, I'll struggle to ever want to go back.
The food tonight was very good tonight and it's hard to beat the romantic ambiance. But over the years the food has ranged from amazing to downright horrifying. Inconsistent performance (don't order the mussels)..anyone can make a great meal once (or twice..the eggplant parm). Buyer beware. Consider eating at home and having an appetizer and drink at the bar...and ask for Tony. -
7/15/2014
Have been here twice with my husband and another couple and can't recommend it enough. Definitely the place to go if you have friends/family visiting and want to try authentic Chicago Italian.
Both times I've tried the calamari, once fried and once sautéed, and both times perfection. I hate chewy calamari (and won't eat the squidy looking ones) but both preparations of this were spot on. They have a wide variety of salads to choose from as well. The last time we went, my husband and I split a Caesar salad which was still HUGE for two people. If you get an appetizer, split a salad and get your own entrée that is definitely enough food.
There aren't a large variety of vegetarian pastas to choose from, but they can make almost any vegetarian. The first time I tried the Tortellini alla Panna and had them omit the pancetta so it was just the tortellini with mushrooms and sweet peas, and of course cream and cheese. I don't normally like peas but this was very good! The second time I tried the Rigatoni which was basic and delicious; real pasta, not something dressed up too much.
The staff is extremely knowledgeable and helpful in making suggestions. Will come back over and over. -
- Kristin M.
- Chicago, IL
- 23 friends
- 112 reviews
- Elite ’15
12/8/2014
If you're in the area and are in the mood for Italian, it's worth stopping in. That said, if there's a super long wait, you might want to stop by another time. Compared to other similar Italian restaurants in the city, it was just okay--pretty standard; nothing overly unique. However, the ambiance was enjoyable.
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- Rebecca N.
- Chicago, IL
- 90 friends
- 178 reviews
- Elite ’15
12/15/2013
One of the most underrated Italian spots in all of Chicago! This is classic Italian and everything is spot on.
Homemade pasta is killer! Loved the sausage pasta especially. Grilled octopus was cooked to perfection.
Great service but they were sold out of the tiramisu :( bummed!! -
- lisa t.
- Schaumburg, IL
- 0 friends
- 11 reviews
6/14/2015
I have gone to this place for 10 years and read the reviews online about the hostess and owner and couldn't believe it until I experienced it myself. My friend and I went to have dinner - we were on the patio which is self seating. A table got up that was by the heater and we moved - the hostess comes over and says we have to move that we can't sit there she has someone who is a party of 5. We had already been sitting there - I looked up at her - and she put her face and hand in my face and said "don't even" I said excuse me? and she screamed "you heard me - I said Don't even!" I said I'm a customer who the hell are you talking to like that? She started screaming and throwing her hands around like she was on the street in the south side. I asked for the owner - the owner was 100 times worse - came out screaming and cursing and calling me a fat bitch and that I should leave. I will never give another dime to such a degenerate group of people that have no respect for their customers. There are too many great Italian places in Chicago - whom have class and respect - if you want to be treated like you live in the Ghetto. Please make a reservation.
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- David M.
- Chicago, IL
- 2 friends
- 2 reviews
5/15/2015
I was looking for a place to take my parents for lunch. They love italian food and they usually are very picky about it. Guess what? I hit the right place. The menu is really good and everything we ordered was great. The ambience is really nice and cozy. Prices are great. Enjoy!
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5/28/2014
1 check-inIt's a really crowded place in a nice neighborhood. I got the seafood pasta (forgot the actual name), but it had shrimps and scallops. The portion size is nice, but the sauce wasn't too great. It was wayyy too salty for me and the seafood taste lingered more than it should. The salmon pasta dish had salmon already cut into small pieces, which makes it less messy to eat. Other pasta dishes were okay, too. This place is decent, but not phenomenal. I can say I tried it, but this isn't a place I would opt to come back after trying it.
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Vegetarian pasta...also forgot the name but it was good!Vegetarian pasta...also forgot the name but it was good!
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- Lea M.
- Chicago, IL
- 2 friends
- 8 reviews
Hours
| Mon | 11:30 am - 10:30 pm | |
|---|---|---|
| Tue | 11:30 am - 10:30 pm | |
| Wed | 11:30 am - 10:30 pm | |
| Thu | 11:30 am - 10:30 pm | Open now |
| Fri | 11:30 am - 10:30 pm | |
| Sat | 11:30 am - 10:30 pm | |
| Sun | 4:00 pm - 9:45 pm |
Menu
- Shrimp
- 3.50
- Conchiglie Alla Sarda
- 13.95
- Asparagus
- 5.95
More business info
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- Takes Reservations
- Yes
- Delivery
- No
- Take-out
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards
- Yes
- Good For
- Dinner
- Parking
- Street
- Bike Parking
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible
- Yes
- Good for Kids
- Yes
- Good for Groups
- Yes
- Attire
- Casual
- Ambience
- Casual
- Noise Level
- Average
- Alcohol
- Full Bar
- Outdoor Seating
- Yes
- Wi-Fi
- No
- Has TV
- Yes
- Waiter Service
- Yes
- Caters
- Yes
People also viewed
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27 reviews
We sampled the polenta fries (to die), arugula salad, burrata and arancini.
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97 reviews
Spinach bread is a must have and I had the Milano pizza which is fantastic.
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